TheBongPlace: The Marijuana Blog

You already know that Willie Nelson loves the green, and you’re probably not surprised to hear Jack Black is a toker. Hell, you probably even remember when sweet Mary Ann from Gilligan’s Island got popped for marijuana possession recently.

But you might not be aware of these celebrities who like to partake from time to time. Here are 10 celebrity potheads that might surprise you.

Kirsten Dunst- Just last year, Kirsten Dunst admitted she likes smoking marijuana. In fact, she said “America’s view on weed is ridiculous” and the world would be a better place if “everyone smoked weed.” No wonder she likes playing the role of Mary Jane in Spiderman. Okay, that’s a lame joke, but I couldn’t resist.

Charlize Theron- It wasn’t all that long ago that Charlize Theron was caught sucking smoke from an apple. The pictures were published in National Enquirer back in 2002. While Theron never admitted to her marijuana use, it’s doubtful that this was her first rodeo.

Brad Pitt- Whether on the set of Ocean’s Twelve or Thelma & Louise, one thing is clear: Brad Pitt likes to unwind after a long day of shooting with a little help from his green friend. Beyond the reports of on-set smoking, Pitt’s also been spotted on numerous occasions with T-shirts professing his love for weed.

Jennifer Aniston- This stunning actress has admitted her love for weed on several occasions. Back when she was still married to Brad Pitt, she confessed that she and Pitt used to smoke together on a regular basis. However, Aniston did make sure to point out that she smokes in moderation.

Harrison Ford- Harrison Ford has Bill Maher to thank for making this list. At a NORML conference, Maher told attendees it was high time Harrison Ford took a step out of the cannabis closet. I knew Indiana Jones had to be under the influence when he would pull off all those crazy stunts.

Morgan Freeman- In an interview with the UK newspaper The Guardian, this legendary actor told reporters he had given up his use of hard drugs, but that he would never quit his relationship with Mary Jane. In fact, he referred to marijuana as “God’s own weed.”

Michael Bloomberg- The 108th Mayor of New York City was once asked if he ever smoked weed before becoming Mayor. Not only did Bloomberg admit to his marijuana use, he said “You bet I did. And I enjoyed it!”

Justin Timberlake- Boy bander Justin Timberlake once said marijuana should be legalized. He told fellow star Nelly that it would cut the crime rate in half. According to Nelly, he and Timberlake love partying together, and they share a love for the green. So, that’s how Justin Timberlake could tolerate being in N-Sync for so long.

George Clooney- When shooting Ocean’s Twelve, the cast went on location to Amsterdam. The owner of a local cannabis café told reporters George Clooney was no stranger there. Apparently, the charming actor visits the store at least a few times a year. It makes sense if you think about it. Clooney is always calm and even-tempered.

Stephen King- Stephen King is the most popular horror novelist of this generation. Unlike some celebrities who recoil when asked about cannabis, King confidently states “I think that marijuana should not only be legal, I think it should be a cottage industry. It would be wonderful for the state of Maine. There’s some pretty good homegrown dope. I’m sure it would be even better if you could grow it with fertilizers and have greenhouses. . . .”

article via The Legalization of Marijuana

Despite the popularity of weed and hash, most governments in the world have deemed it harmful to the individual and society as a whole.

There are only 11 nations in the world where weed and hash have been decriminalized. A handful of countries impose mandatory prison sentences and other harsh punishments for the possession or sale of any form of weed and hash. Another handful look the other way when dealing with cannabis.

Some places that are easy on weed heads can be broken up by region:

Latin America

In Latin America, cannabis is tolerated and/or decriminalized in most countries, with the exception of Bolivia, Ecuador, Honduras and Guatemala. Marijuana grows well in Central and South America and is a large part of the economy.

Governments tend to have more to worry about than whether someone is smoking a joint. For travelers, this means that smoking in South America is probably okay, but caution should be used.

Only Peru considers cannabis to be a legal drug, provided you are not in possession of another drug. I get the impression that throughout Latin America, the tolerance doesn’t typically extend to tourists, especially if the police can get a bribe out of it, but you should never travel with pot and risk being searched.

I would highly recommend caution throughout Mexico, Panama, Guatemala and even Costa Rica. Although weed is sold to tourists all the time in quantities up to 1/4 pound, those buyers in turn, are often set up for the policia.

In this particular region, weed may be tolerated, decriminalized or even legal up to small amounts (usually about 20 grams), but as always, keep a low profile.

Photo by martin cleary

Here’s a quick break down:

• ARGENTINA: Decriminalized for personal use in small amounts and for consumption only in private locations. Public consumption is generally accepted among the young adults and overlooked by police in the suburbs.
• BOLIVIA: Possession illegal. No move to decriminalize.
• BRAZIL: Possession illegal.
• CHILE: Personal use of marijuana in small quantities on a private place is not against the law. More than one person using it at the same place is considered as a group and thus is considered illegal.
• COLOMBIA: Possession of small quantities of all drugs legal; permitted “personal dose” for marijuana is 20 grams.
• ECUADOR: Possession illegal. No move to decriminalize.
• PARAGUAY: Possession illegal. No move to decriminalize.
• PERU: Possession of up to 8 grams (0.28 oz) of marijuana is legal as long as one isn’t in possession of another drug. However, I’ve read some first hand accounts about the police being fairly strict. Caution is urged.
• URUGUAY: Possession for personal use not penalized; law does not specify quantity for “personal” amount.
• VENEZUELA: Possession of up to 20 grams not punished.
• BELIZE: Illegal, but use by locals is slightly tolerated.
• GUATEMALA: Highly illegal. Possession by Guatemalans in not normally prosecuted for personal use, but tourists are commonly arrested and jailed for several days before being released.
• HONDURAS: Illegal, but use by locals is slightly tolerated.
• PANAMA: Illegal
• COSTA RICA: Illegal, but tolerated. Watch out for being set up.

Europe

Europe is another region where cannabis is generally tolerated, decriminalized or even legal.

We all know about the Netherlands. It is legal to buy and smoke herb in the Netherlands, in amounts up to five grams per person per day. People regularly smoke in public parks and anywhere else they can find a bench and a view.

In the Netherlands, one notices that tourists (especially American tourists) go a little overboard and smoke their way into oblivion. The only caution I would take here is making sure you don’t get duped at the coffee shops or robbed by opportunistic thugs.

• GERMANY and BELGIUM: decriminalized. This means that possessing a small amount is ok, but puffing in public and selling weed is not.
• SPAIN and FRANCE: smoking at home and the possession of a few grams will get you searched and checked out at worst.
• ITALY: possession of more than a gram could result in a search and seizure.
• GREECE: illegal. Really tough on weed.
• DENMARK: illegal. Very uncool towards cannabis ever since authorities bulldozed the Christiana district in Copenhagen.
• MACEDONIA: decriminalized.
• SERBIA: looks away if it looks at all.
• SLOVENIA: has no police (just kidding, but it is a relaxed place).
• BOSNIA: illegal but tolerated.
• CROATIA: illegal and not tolerated.
• SCANDINVIAN COUNTRIES: laws are quite strict concerning weed and it is not advisable to get caught smoking

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Photo by Shira Golding

North Africa

The other region where weed is ok is North Africa. In Egypt, Tunisia, and Morocco, locals smoke hash, a fine alternative to alcohol and accepted in society. However, this societal norm does not necessarily apply to tourists.

In other words, locals may be puffing, but if the laws still consider what you are doing as illegal, a cop can still make money off you. I recommend smoking with friends only in this region.

• EGYPT: Illegal, but not strictly enforced, just don’t smoke in public. Also, don’t carry large quantities unless you’d like to see the inside of an Egyptian jail.
• MOROCCO: Illegal. Not recommended to smoke in public or to carry more than a few grams at a time–whatever you can quickly swallow or throw away. Tourists are usually let off with fines, but technically can be jailed for 4-10 years. Even more if you’re suspected of smuggling.

Having said all that, these are the nations in which cannabis is legal for consumption and where you should be able to smoke in peace:

Photo courtesy of author

• BELGIUM: Up to 5 grams.
• CZECH REPUBLIC: Personal use.
• GERMANY: Up to 5 grams.
• INDIA: All good.
• MACEDONIA: Up to 5 grams.
• NETHERLANDS: Coffee shops and parks, personal use.
• PAKISTAN: Ummm… All good, but as a tourist I would watch my back and smoke with Pakistani friends in their homes.
• PERU: Personal use, up to 5 grams.
• RUSSIA: Personal use, up to 5 grams If you are caught, you will have to pay low fines as possession of small amounts is still illegal
• VENEZUELA: Personal use, up to 5 grams.
• AUSTRALIA: Up to 50grams! (Certain states of Australia have decriminalized marijuana possession. In Tasmania, Victoria and Queensland one can be simply ticketed for up to 50 grams. If found in possession with intent to supply, convictions apply)

I use “up to five grams” because I like to err on the side of caution. I have smoked publicly with fishermen in Thailand, tea merchants in Egypt, farmers in SW China and all my homies throughout Europe and the US. I will continue to do so.

People all over the planet understand the need to just relax and do your thing after a long day. Some do it with alcohol, some with tea, some with weed, and some with a book.

Stick to the nations numbered above and if you need to puff elsewhere, be careful.

Article via matadornights

Many people refute the beneficial properties of cannabis seeds, but is is a real fact that marijuana has proven medical properties; hence researchers have published their finding in an attempt to make legal its use. Marijuana scientific name is Cannabis sativa L and is a plant native to warm temperate zones of America, Africa, India, and Asia. The Latin name cannabis is related to the Cannabaceae, the Hemp family it belongs to.? Marijuana is perhaps one of the plants that is popularly known with so many names that it would be hard to list absolutely all of the unique names. Marijuana seeds, weed and cannabis seeds are the most popular forms, but it is also knows as hemp, hemp seed, bhang, Charas, dagga, Ganja, hashish, Sativa Seeds, KIF, Indica seeds, TA MA, conopli, juanita, and Hanf, among many other names.? The active parts of the plant are its conifer stems, flowers, leaves, seeds, and even the secretions of the plant itself. The marijuana components include cannabin, resin, choline, and essential oils. Although marijuana was widely used in Africa and Asia to fight against illness in ancient times, its therapeutic and commercial value in other continents was only recognized until the early 20th century when the United States began to use with medical purposes.? Marijuana was banned in America in 1937 and since nowadays there is a debate for its legalization not only in USA, but also in many other countries around the world arguing its potential medicinal properties. The plant psychoactive ingredients are cannabinoids, responsible for making people get high. Researchers have found high concentrations of this ingredient in the resin of the plant, being also responsible of the abundant production of plant pistils.? ? Cannabinoids are also the basal ingredient of tetrahydrocannabinol and other ingredients, such as cannabinol, cannabidiol, Delta-8 THC, Tetrahydrocannabivarin, and Cannabichromene. The main effect of marijuana is euphoria and, apart from its interaction with the central nervous system, it has a secondary action that accelerates the heart rate and raises blood pressure? Researchers say that marijuana seeds do not cause habit, but a psychological dependence, thus people can control the way in which is consumed when it is not abused. However, the dispute about its medicinal benefits is disputed because its therapeutic use is supported by anecdotal information rather that a formal investigation in depth and it is unlikely get medical institutions participating actively in the marijuana legalization.? According to the data recorded, cannabis seeds help with glaucoma, reducing intraocular pressure, and relieving pain at the time that slow the degenerative process that leads to blindness. Marijuana is also known for its properties to reduce pain and discomfort caused by multiple factors to people suffering from chronic pain.? Cannabis prevents seizures in some patients with epilepsy, and contributes with anorexia since marijuana stimulates the appetite. In the 1970s, some studies reported that smoking marijuana reduces Asthma problems, and it was recently found that it also overcome vomiting, nausea and appetite loss in AID and cancer patients, although all of these therapeutic effects have mostly tested in animals.

Author: Hanfsamen